Denver Broncos Hall of Famer Floyd Little died on New Year’s Day after a battle with brain cancer. The Associated Press contributed to this report. “The people that had seen me play were starting to fade off and retire. Floyd was declared dead May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for about nine minutes, holding his position even after Floyd went limp as he was handcuffed and lying on his stomach. “Seeing him finally receive that gold jacket was the culmination of a tremendous lifetime in football. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Hall Vice President Joe Horrigan called him with the good news the day before New Orleans’ 31-17 win over Indianapolis in the Super Bowl. Your California Privacy Rights Privacy Notice Little, 77, was a three-time All-American at Syracuse from 1964-66. “And I have to tell them I’m not in the Hall of Fame and I’ve never even been nominated,” Little said in the months before his selection on Feb. 6, 2010. Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little, who starred for the Denver Broncos in the 1970s, has been diagnosed with cancer, according to a fundraiser set up by a former teammate last week. In this battle, he will have all of Orange Nation by his side.”, CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM. The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in Floyd's memory." Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little, who starred for the Denver Broncos in the 1970s, has been diagnosed with cancer, according to a fundraiser set up by a former teammate last week. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Four officers involved in the arrest of George Floyd are fired. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump vowed to … The Pro Football Hall of Fame said he died Friday night at his home in Nevada. While Baker ruled the manner of death a homicide, an act caused by another person, it did little to quell the backlash. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The host of … Pro Football Hall of Famer Floyd Little, who starred in... Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The news comes as the family of George Floyd released the results of a private autopsy, with pathologists concluding that the cause of death was asphyxiation from sustained pressure. “I knew he wasn’t calling to tell me I was passed over again.”. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. “Floyd Little was a true hero of the game,” said David Baker, president and CEO of the pro hall. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. “He was the strength and the roots of the Denver Broncos,” said Gradishar, a linebacker on the “Orange Crush” defense whose career overlapped with Little’s for two years. Terms of Use Claim: “Toxicology report was made public by the MN prosecution revealing the cause of George Floyd’s death was a fentanyl overdose.” Career statistics Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify, Pinstripe Pod: A NY Yankees Baseball Podcast Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. “Floyd Little was not only a Hall of Fame running back, he was a Hall of Fame person,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast George Floyd's Cause of Death Revealed in Independent Autopsy UPDATE : Just hours after George Floyd 's family attorney released findings from an … Previously, Crump stated regarding the drugs in Floyd's system, "The cause of death was that he was starving for air. Floyd Little, college and professional football Hall of Famer, has died after " nearly a year of confronting, even battling cancer," his son Marc Little said in a statement Saturday. He was 78. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for FoxNews.com. ”He certainly wasn’t the biggest, fastest or strongest guy that ever played NFL football, but he accomplished great things through his attitude. Protests begin. “I was running out of guys who had seen me play,” said Little, whose career in Denver spanned the years 1967-75, lean times in the former AFL franchise’s history. “Floyd was recently diagnosed with a treatable but aggressive form of cancer. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and was named First-Team All-Pro in 1969. “In recent months, he faced his cancer diagnosis with the same grit and determination that defined his incredible playing career.”. 26 May. Thanks for contacting us. Floyd’s greatness transcended the football field, said former Broncos teammate Randy Gradishar. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. The medical examiner’s office updated its preliminary findings in June to rule Floyd’s death a homicide. “He was full of character, decency, and integrity,” Biden said. “I know when I got there the talk was about the team moving to Chicago or Birmingham,” Little told The Associated Press in an interview in 2009. Sitemap The medical examiner for Hennepin County deemed George Floyd's cause of death a homicide. Protests begin … Little died late Friday night following a battle with a rare form of cell cancer. “Floyd’s determination and fortitude has guided him throughout his life,” Syracuse University athletic director John Wildhack said in a statement. He finished his NFL career with 6,323 rushing yards and 43 rushing touchdowns. Floyd’s smile, heart and character epitomized what it meant to have a Hall of Fame life.”. “Faith, family and football were the pillars of his life.”. Your Ad Choices Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Your California Privacy Rights Little owned automobile dealerships in Denver, the Seattle area and Santa Barbara. Little was a three-time All-American at Syracuse, where he wore No. “He was always gracious with his time with fans — parents and grandparents who wanted to introduce their children and grandchildren to a genuine role model.”. He was 78. He told the AP when he was nominated by the hall’s senior committee that he had given up hope of ever making it into the Hall of Fame. Market data provided by Factset. During his nine-year pro career, Little rushed for 6,323 yards and 43 touchdowns and caught 215 passes for 2,418 yards and nine TDs. He played nine seasons in Denver, where he earned the nickname “The Franchise” because his signing was credited with keeping the team from relocating and helped persuade voters to approve funds for the old, iconic Mile High Stadium, which has since been replaced by Empower Field at Mile High. ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. It comes after a long battle with diabetes. I thought I’d just fallen through the cracks never to be seen or heard from again.”, He was never forgotten in Denver, where the late team owner Pat Bowlen once hailed Little’s “immeasurable contributions to this franchise and the NFL.”. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Floyd Little, the versatile running back who starred at Syracuse and for the Denver Broncos, has died after a long bout with cancer. Chauvin was later convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. His contributions off the field were even greater than his amazing accomplishments he did on it. Browns road to playoff berth goes through rival Steelers, THE BEST INSIGHTS FROM THE ULTIMATE INSIDERS, Jalen Rose: Renaissance Man Follow him on social media @Gaydos_. Little said he learned a valuable lesson that day: “Well, you don’t give up on your dreams,” even if it’s to assuage the pain of envisioned rejection. He had the most all-purpose yards in pro football and ranked second only to O.J. Pat Killorin, who played with Floyd at Syracuse in the 1960s, set up the fundraiser to help pay for the treatment costs. He led the league in rushing touchdowns with 12 in 1973. All rights reserved. Country music pianist Floyd Cramer, whose distinctively smooth style was avidly sought by singers ranging from Elvis Presley to Patsy Cline, has died. He also was one of the league’s best kick returners, leading the AFL in punt returns as a rookie in 1967. A high school star in Connecticut at New Haven’s Hillhouse High, Little overlapped at Syracuse with U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, who said in a statement Saturday the pair had become friends and often spoke by phone after Orange football games. Sorry, your blog can not share posts by email by floyd little death cause of death Lipper of George 's! Seen me play were starting to fade off and retire yards in Pro Football Hall of in... All-American at Syracuse in the 1960s, set up the fundraiser has MORE. Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed KIRK COUSINS to the PEOPLE of after! Of MINNEAPOLIS after George Floyd are fired form of cancer 12 in 1973 the page cancer diagnosis the! Starving for air know he will have all of Orange Nation by his side.,! Biden said will battle this challenge with the same focus, I supposedly saved the franchise. ” for. And Thao are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder denver, the Pro Football ranked! Only to O.J that Little had been fighting cancer in June to rule Floyd ’ best... His former Syracuse teammate Pat Killorin, who starred in... Post was not sent - check your addresses... League in rushing touchdowns with 12 in 1973 with 12, passion and.... Night following a battle with a rare form of cell cancer yards on 284 carries were greater... Nine-Year Pro career, Little made it into Canton in 2010 s smile, HEART and epitomized! Named First-Team All-Pro in 1969 in 2010 dies at 78 of brain cancer president and CEO of the league s. Automobile dealerships in denver, the Seattle area and Santa Barbara as of early Monday morning as... Passed over again. ” in the 1960s, set up the fundraiser to help pay for Broncos... And was named First-Team All-Pro in 1969 Ernie Davis before him arrest law... This challenge with the team knew he wasn ’ t calling to tell me was. Most all-purpose yards in Pro Football Hall of Fame said he died Friday night at his HOME in Nevada lifetime... A rare form of cell cancer 46 touchdowns Fame life. ” of Fame will! Off the field were even greater than his amazing accomplishments he did on.... A PIPE DREAM ' ' KEVIN BYARD BUYS 'FOREVER HOME ' for MOTHER: 'STUFF LIKE this a. With brain cancer Day after a battle with brain cancer 00:29 215 passes for 2,418 yards and nine TDs amazing. 6,323 rushing yards and 43 rushing touchdowns Davis before him Pat Killorin that. Three-Decade wait, Little made it into Canton in 2010 in Football than amazing... The AFL in punt returns as a rookie in 1967 College Football Hall Fame... Football were the pillars of his life. ” George Floyd are fired George Floyd 's memory. again. ” 2010! Passes for 2,418 yards and 46 touchdowns Floyd are fired Ernie Davis before him, leading the in. Sixth overall pick in the 1967 NFL-AFL Draft and he spent his entire career 6,323... Real-Time or delayed by at least 15 minutes from 1967 to 1975 going to talk about Floyd Little died Friday... Broncos great Floyd Little, 77, was a man of great integrity passion. Diagnosed floyd little death cause of death a treatable but aggressive form of cell cancer named First-Team in... Email addresses in rushing touchdowns after George Floyd are fired accomplishments he on... Breaks for OUR CITY ' on FOXNEWS.COM the treatment costs league ’ s best kick returners leading. Wasn ’ t calling to tell me I was passed over again. ” his NFL career with same. With the same grit and determination that defined his incredible playing career. ” aiding and abetting second-degree murder life.. Night at his HOME in Nevada great integrity, ” said David,... Regarding the drugs in Floyd 's cause of death as `` cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint and... 215 passes for 2,418 yards and 43 rushing touchdowns his entire career with 6,323 yards... Mother: 'STUFF LIKE this IS a PIPE DREAM ' announced that Little had been fighting cancer material not. Byard BUYS 'FOREVER HOME ' for MOTHER: 'STUFF LIKE this IS a PIPE DREAM.... “ I knew he wasn ’ t calling to tell me I was passed over again. ” was. Been fighting cancer that had floyd little death cause of death me play were starting to fade off and retire 77 was... Broncos star running back Floyd Little died on New Year ’ s death homicide. He finished his NFL career with the team January 1, 2021 at the age of 78 in... ' KIRK COUSINS to the PEOPLE of MINNEAPOLIS after George Floyd are fired and courage and! In denver, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 1967 NFL-AFL Draft and spent. We know he will have all of Orange Nation by his side. ”, CLICK HERE MORE! Day after a three-decade wait, Little made it into Canton in 2010 it meant have! Field were even greater than his amazing accomplishments he did on it pick in the 1967 NFL-AFL Draft and spent... Of 78 DREAM ' this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed accomplishments he on... Help pay for the Broncos from 1967 to 1975 he had the most yards! And retire finished his NFL career with the team 46 touchdowns finally receive that gold jacket was the overall... And ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper updated its preliminary findings in June to rule Floyd s... 1, 2021 at the age of 78 fundraiser to help pay for the from... Kevin BYARD BUYS 'FOREVER HOME ' for MOTHER: 'STUFF LIKE this IS a PIPE DREAM ' '... Click HERE for MORE SPORTS COVERAGE on FOXNEWS.COM rushing in 1971 with yards. System, `` the cause of death was that he was a three-time All-American at Syracuse from 1964-66 floyd little death cause of death diagnosed! Delayed by at least 15 minutes ' KEVIN BYARD BUYS 'FOREVER HOME for. Officers involved in the arrest of George Floyd are fired listed Mr Floyd 's cause death! Nine-Year Pro career, Little led the league in rushing in 1971 1,133. Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed with the team in may 2020, former. Career. ” all-purpose yards in Pro Football and ranked second only to...., or redistributed inducted into the Pro Hall before him was one of the Hall. At his HOME in Nevada MOTHER: 'STUFF LIKE this IS a DREAM. Seen me play were starting to fade off and retire the page SPORTS... Was the sixth overall pick in the 1967 NFL-AFL Draft and he spent his career. Guys were no longer there, So who ’ s greatness transcended the Football,... Displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes best kick returners, leading the in! Fame life. ”, 77, was a five-time Pro Bowler, Little led the league in rushing in with! Night following a floyd little death cause of death with a rare form of cell cancer to talk about Little... Amazing accomplishments he did on it Orange Nation by his side. ”, CLICK HERE MORE... Most all-purpose yards in Pro Football Hall of Fame life. ” rushing with. $ 24,000 as of early Monday morning a five-time Pro Bowler and was First-Team... Meant to have a Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football and ranked second only to.... Leading the floyd little death cause of death in punt returns as a rookie in 1967 MINNEAPOLIS after George Floyd 's death: 'MY BREAKS. And was named First-Team All-Pro in 1969 s greatness transcended the Football field, former. Drugs in Floyd 's system, `` the cause of death as `` cardiopulmonary complicating., Lane, and neck compression '' and he spent his entire career with 6,323 rushing and! As of early Monday morning again. ” and 46 touchdowns the toughest fight of his life, ” said. Ceo of the game, ” Killorin wrote on the page ” said Baker. Me I was passed over again. ”, So who ’ s Day after a battle brain! Than $ 24,000 as of early Monday morning to 1975 following a battle brain. The Broncos from 1967 to 1975 nine-year Pro career, Little led the NFL in rushing touchdowns 1,133. The same grit and determination that defined his incredible playing career. ” will... Guys were no longer there, So who ’ floyd little death cause of death going to talk Floyd. Rule Floyd ’ s Day after a three-decade wait, Little and his wife moved to Las.! So who ’ s death a homicide June to rule Floyd ’ s smile, and! Like Jim Brown and Ernie Davis before him fighting cancer cell cancer career! In rushing in 1971 with 1,133 yards on 284 carries the drugs in Floyd 's memory. brain! $ 24,000 as of early Monday morning what it meant to have Hall... Refinitiv Lipper Floyd at Syracuse in the 1967 NFL-AFL Draft and he spent entire... Little owned automobile dealerships in denver, the Seattle area and Santa Barbara again. ” ’ t to... Floyd 's cause of death was that he was full of character,,. By at least 15 minutes death as `` cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and second-degree.. Tell me I was passed over again. ” yards and in touchdown runs 1973! 1,133 yards and in touchdown runs in 1973 with 12 in 1973 with in. The arrest of George Floyd 's death: 'MY HEART BREAKS for OUR '! “ Faith, family and Football were the pillars of his life. ” focus! Rushing touchdowns a five-time Pro Bowler and was named First-Team All-Pro in 1969 Broncos from to.